The World’s Most Powerful Women: October 3

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to start its new term today, one of its stalwarts Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg published an op-ed in The New York Times that was billed as her “advice on living.” In the piece, the 83-year-old firecracker chronicles the rise of women in the legal profession and lists the skills and characteristics that qualified her to play a part in women’s advancement:

1. She learned to fend for herself—Her mother made reading “a delight” and counseled Ginsburg constantly to “be independent.”

2. She got a good education and had inspiring teachers—One law professor was determined to secure a federal court clerkship for Ginsburg despite “what was then viewed as a grave impediment”—Ginsburg’s 4-year-old child. After “heroic efforts,” he succeeded.

3. At times, she’s been “a little deaf”—It’s an approach she’s employed at home and at work. “When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken,” she says, “best tune out.”

4. She aimed for real work-life balance— Her law school days were split between her studies and caring for her daughter, June. “Each part of my life provided respite from the other,” she says.

5. She had a supportive partner—“I betray no secret in reporting that, without [husband Martin D. Ginsburg], I would not have gained a seat on the Supreme Court,” she says.

6. She’s learned to “get over it”—Her profession encourages dissent, but it’s also a job that would be nearly impossible if she and her fellow justices weren’t able to get past their strong disagreements and find respect for one another.

Ginsburg ends her op-ed with a call to eliminate the remaining impairments to women’s success: the disproportionate share of women in poverty, the gender wage gap in the U.S. And abroad, and workplaces’ inadequate accommodation of childbearing and childrearing. And while many women will echo her call for even more progress, it’s also worth admiring and adopting the tactics of women who succeeded without it.

@clairezillman

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EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA

Setting a deadline
In her clearest announcement yet about her administration's Brexit strategy, PM Theresa May said yesterday that she'll begin the U.K.'s process of leaving the EU before the end of March 2017. She also pledged to introduce a bill next year to convert all EU laws into U.K. Legislation on the day that Brexit goes through.Bloomberg

Getting your money's worth

In a ranking of U.K. CEOs who offer the best value based on their compensation, Imperial Brands' Alison Cooper, who was paid £3.58 million in 2015, comes in second.

Financial Times

Lyrics for liberty

In Afghanistan, the Taliban no longer controls the airwaves, but women musicians in the country still face the threat of torture and death. This story profiles some of the women who are performing—rapping, singing, playing the cello—despite the risks.

Pacific Standard

THE AMERICAS

Backed by LeBron

In an op-ed today, NBA star LeBron James says he's endorsing Hillary Clinton for president because she's the only candidate who "truly understands the struggles of an Akron, [Ohio] child born into poverty."

Sports Illustrated

Beauty tips

In an interview with Coins2Day's Leigh Gallagher, Jane Lauder, global brand president of Clinique who's also the granddaughter of Estee Lauder, talked about the newest trends in the beauty industry and shared advice for others who work in the field.

Coins2Day

Kate in Canada

The Royal Family's recent trip to Canada meant some designers in the country suddenly found themselves on the receiving end of the "Kate effect." After the Duchess of Cambridge wore a grey alpaca coat by Bojana Sentaler, the garment sold out online in nearly 24 hours. And Toronto-based fashion label Smythe, founded by Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe, has become an apparent favorite of the royal, as she wore a blazer from its fall collection on a visit to the archipelago Haida Gwaii.

Vancouver Sun

ASIA-PACIFIC

A fatal claim

It's still difficult for women to own property in India, and extended families' battles over ancestral lands have long favored sons. Succession laws were amended in 2005 to make it easier for Indian women to inherit property, but even today they own and operate less than 13% of agricultural land there. This story looks at one woman's fatal attempt to claim a plot of earth she owned.

Washington Post

Pretending to be pregnant

Three male governors in Japan donned 16-pound vests to simulate pregnancy. The stunt was aimed at encouraging men to take on more domestic duties in the country where women do five times as much housework as their male counterparts.

Quartz